Sunday, August 2, 2020

If Olympia is a work of art in progress, it may be a case of back to the canvas

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights' Joffrey N'Koso tries to get past South Hobart's Ewan Larby as Sam Berezansky makes ground on the left [PlessPix]

Olympia Warriors suffered their third defeat in a row when they went down 3-2 away to reigning NPL Tasmania champions Devonport City at Valley Road on Saturday.

If this were an ordinary season, one could argue that the Warriors are a work in progress.

But, it is far from an ordinary season.  It is a truncated season and there are a mere 14 games in which to finish the work of art.

Olympia could still win the title, of course, but it looks a remote possibility after three games.

If it was your normal 21 game season  -  or the more preferable 28-game season  -  there would be a glimmer of hope that coach Andrew Brown could get the brush strokes to say something and finish this new work of art before the end of the season.

It is looking more and more likely, however, that this is going to be a mere work of abstract art and open to interpretation rather than a definitive masterpiece with a clear message.

Photo:  Alex Walter scores Knights' third [PlessPix]

Miles Barnard opened the scoring for Devonport in the 24th minute and a brace by Brody Denehey midway through the second half completed the task.

The Brown twins, Callum and Declan, replied for Olympia, who were 1-1 at half-time.

Glenorchy Knights displayed their intentions this season with a deserved 3-1 away win over previous ladder-leaders South Hobart at South Hobart Oval.

A cool finish by Alex Bellini, from Joffrey N’Koso’s cut-back, put the Knights ahead in the 12th minute before a classy finish by Kasper Hallam made it 1-1 after half an hour.

Connor Schmidt then restored Knights’ lead in the 37th minute with a rising shot from range that gave South Hobart keeper Mark Moncur no chance.

Photo:  South Hobart's Sam Tooze was shown a yellow card after tripping Knights' Jordan Muller [PlessPix]

Alex Walter almost extended Knights’ lead early in the second half, but his fierce shot clipped the top of the crossbar.

With 10 minutes remaining, Walter made amends by firing home his side’s third from 12 metres.

It’s significant that two of Knights’ scorers played for South Hobart last season, while a couple of others (Jack Bowman and Oscar Thomas) were prominent performers in this game.

South Hobart are a little light on and lacking in experience and they will relish the return to action next week of Andy Brennan,w ho has A-League experience.

Kasper Hallam had to be replaced because of injury and the club will nervously await the results of X-Rays on the youngster’s leg.

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' Lachie Burt holds off Kingborough's Luke Bighin [PlessPix]

A superb over-head scissors kick by Kingborough Lions United’s Adam McKeown signalled the return of the striker to his former club’s headquarters.  It came in the 4th minute and gave the Lions the lead over Clarence Zebras.

McKeown later had a penalty saved by Clarence Zebras’ goalkeeper Joshua Jones, who was filling in for the injured Nick O’Connell.  The miss led to lots of verbal derision for McKeown from the home supporters.

A Jayden Hey penalty restored the balance, but 10 minutes into the second-half, Danny Cowen hit the winner for the Lions.

The Launceston derby between Launceston City and Riverside Olympic saw the latter win 2-1.  The results of their second meeting later in the season will determine the destination of the Guardian Pharmacies Trophy, which is contested between these sides on the basis of the results of their league meetings.

Photo:  Referee Nathan Coad checking to see if Kingborough's Keenan Douce is okay after the defender's attempted clearance ricochted off an opponent and into his face [PlessPix]

Matt Spanos gave Riverside the lead in the 25th minute, while Sam Ridgard equalised in the 74th minute.

With a draw looming, Aaron Kidmas popped up with the winner for Riverside 6 minutes from the end.

The defeat leaves Launceston City in equal last place with Olympia Warriors.

Photo:  Knights defend a South Hobart corner [PlessPix]

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 1 August 2020)

TEAM
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Devonport City
3
3
0
0
6
3
9
Kingborough Lions
3
2
1
0
7
4
7
Glenorchy Knights
3
2
0
1
6
4
6
South Hobart
3
2
0
1
5
5
6
Riverside Olympic
3
1
1
1
6
6
4
Clarence Zebras
3
1
0
2
2
3
3
Launceston City
3
0
0
3
4
7
0
Olympia Warriors
3
0
0
3
3
7
0

Photo:  Kingborough's Adam McKeown is restrained by Clarence Zebras' Riley Dillon, who gave away the penalty [PlessPix]

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe Olympia should have merged with Clarence , at least they wouldn’t have been beaten by them this year as well

Anonymous said...

Zebras beaten by Boro again ! This time at home.
Wow they must be in big big trouble.
Maybe Smith and Brown should swap and see what happens

Anonymous said...

You've NAILED IT again Walt!!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 7.39 pm.
Would have , could have , should have! But they didn’t! Again!
Oh and a great ploy to surround Sunday like a pack of animals after he missed the penalty.
How did that work for you?

Anonymous said...

Let's be honest this season is a total wasted of time nothing feels right the world is on they edge of a disaster and we are arguing about football really we have it all wrong .

Brian Young said...

Dare I say, a Greek Tragedy.
(I try to avoid such clichés like the plague)

Anonymous said...

Ever wondered why Sunday left? That reaction might tell you all you need to know.

Anonymous said...

Amateur display from Dillon and Walsh. Sunday scored a cracker and set up the second - Definitely had the last laugh.

Anonymous said...

You can blame Dillon and Walsh but leadership comes from the top-down...!!!

Anonymous said...

Anon 12.22 pm.
We’re still the losers at the end of the day.

Anonymous said...

Funny comments , seen Sunday miss 30 attempts before but he nailed the one that counted so good on him , call it luck call it fate but it’s a wired old world at present so it actually wasn’t surprising. As for the carry on after the penalty miss , well I think that was just for the carry on after the goal so it evens out and when someone leaves the flock you would expect that it’s not like it don’t happen elsewhere for Christ’s sake come on , personally I thought it was a great exciting game that was in the balance the 90 minutes which is what spectators should want , just my opinion

Anonymous said...

Walsh was constantly exposed all game nd Dillion looked back to selfish careless self. Zebras have no midfield or attack and cannot rely on Hey covering the backline. Kingbrough should have won very easy this contest. Don't see why Huigsloot is persisted with as he is always missing and leaves a huge whole when not there, this season is a perfect oppertunity to blood kids but haven't seen enough of this bar 1 or 2

Anonymous said...

Anon. 5.14.
Blood kids you say?
Which ones in particular because that club list all it’s
juniors to other clubs.